Head of Product Design and Research
Head of Product Design and Research

Head of Product Design and Research

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented team to create innovative user experiences for Gumtree's platform.
  • Company: Gumtree is a leading UK online classifieds platform, transforming into a modern marketplace.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, private medical, and a collaborative culture.
  • Why this job: Make a direct impact on user experience while shaping the future of re-commerce.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in design and research with a strong portfolio in B2C tech.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with 2-3 days in the London office.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Skilled in ProductDesign and Research? Visionary leader? Let’s shape the future of Gumtree and re-commerce together!

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of UX Design and Research to join our Product and Tech team. We are at the point of reset, building a platform that will make buying and selling simpler, safer, and more enjoyable. Brilliant user experiences will play a key role. You’ll lead a team of talented UX Researchers and Product Designers working in multifunctional teams to create the next level of Gumtree products and customer engagement. You’ll own and develop our Design Strategy and Vision, ensuring it aligns with the company\’s overall objectives, user needs and brand positioning. You’ll also own our UX Research and Insights strategy and processes, helping to guide product strategy and larger company initiatives to be more user centric. This is an exceptional opportunity to deliver impact at scale! You’ll join us during a period of exciting growth and secure long-term investment. Passionate about brilliant user experience? Background in B2C platforms? Join us at Gumtree!

Location: London,hybrid working applies with circa 2 to 3 days in the office.

About the role:

Reporting directly to the Chief Product and Technology Officer, you’ll own our UX Design and Research strategy and execution. You’ll ensure our product experiences meet a high, yet pragmatic rigor of UX best practice, design excellence, and innovation whilst also delivering to business objectives. You’ll be responsible for implementing frameworks, processes, and governance to help support and inspire the Product Design and Research team. You\’ll be a truechampion for the voice of the customer. This includes implementingrobust user research methodologies, from usability testing to ethnographic studies.You’ll form a part of our product and tech leadership team, working cross-functionally with teams onshore and offshore to shape up a more user centric product strategy.

Gumtree is an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants.

What’s in it for you?

  • An exciting opportunity to join Gumtree as we embark upon a journey of growth and transformation.

  • A business with purpose – we are on a mission to make buying and selling safer, simpler, and more enjoyable. Your role will make a direct and visible impact!

  • A culture of collaboration with passionate people building a business we can be proud of.

  • An excellent salary and perks including annual bonus, private medical, state of the art facilities and more.

What are we looking for?

  • Proven experience in leading and managing design and research teams, in a B2C tech or marketplace business. You\’ll demonstrate this via a strong portfolio showcasing design chops, research / user insights integration and outlining processes involved. (Please attach this / share a link along with your application.)

  • Deep understanding of user-centred design principles, usability best practices, and accessibility standards.

  • You\’ll be skilled in data-informed decisions with astrong command of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and when/where to use A/B testing.

  • You’ll have excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams (product management, engineering, marketing, and other departments) to ensure design consistency and alignment with business objectives.Previous experience managing mixed teams onshore and offshore is a big plus.

  • You love mentoring, coaching, and developing team members for high performance and accountability.

  • You keep in the know staying up to date with market trends, emerging technologies, competitors and innovation.

  • Experience collaborating and coordinating with Brand, Marketing and other departments responsible for customer touchpoints to ensure the full customer experience is as cohesive and branded as possible.

About us

Gumtree is one of the UK’s most popular online classifieds platforms, connecting millions of people every month to buy, sell, and trade locally. We’re embarking on an exciting transformation to revolutionise this much-loved platform into a cutting-edge, modern marketplace. With a well-known brand and heritage, we’re evolving to provide seamless buying and selling experiences powered by innovative features like integrated shipping, payments, and a comprehensive home services marketplace. This is your opportunity to join a dynamic team at the forefront of reshaping a household name for the digital age. Together, we’re redefining how communities connect and trade, building a platform that’s ready for the future.

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Head of Product Design and Research employer: Gumtree & Motors

At Gumtree, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As the Head of Product Design and Research, you'll be at the forefront of our exciting transformation, leading a talented team while enjoying competitive benefits such as an excellent salary, annual bonuses, and private medical care. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on creating meaningful user experiences, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment located in the heart of London.
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Contact Detail:

Gumtree & Motors Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Product Design and Research

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with Gumtree's current platform and user experience. Understanding their existing design and research methodologies will help you articulate how your vision can enhance their offerings.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed design and research teams in the past. Highlight specific projects where your guidance led to significant improvements in user experience.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay updated on the latest trends in UX design and research, especially within B2C platforms. Being able to discuss recent innovations or case studies during your interview will demonstrate your passion and expertise.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss how you would implement user-centered design principles at Gumtree. Think about specific frameworks or processes you would introduce to ensure that the voice of the customer is always prioritized.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Design and Research

Leadership and Team Management
User-Centered Design Principles
Usability Best Practices
Accessibility Standards
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
User Interviews
Surveys
Usability Testing
A/B Testing
Data-Informed Decision Making
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Mentoring and Coaching
Market Trend Awareness
Emerging Technologies Knowledge
Brand and Marketing Coordination

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a strong portfolio that showcases your design skills and research insights. Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your ability to lead design and research teams in a B2C tech or marketplace environment.

Align with Company Vision: In your application, express how your design strategy aligns with Gumtree's mission to make buying and selling safer, simpler, and more enjoyable. Show that you understand their goals and how you can contribute to achieving them.

Highlight User-Centered Design Experience: Emphasize your deep understanding of user-centered design principles and usability best practices. Provide examples of how you've implemented these in past roles, particularly in relation to accessibility standards.

Showcase Leadership Skills: Discuss your experience in mentoring and developing team members. Highlight any previous roles where you managed mixed teams onshore and offshore, and how you fostered collaboration across departments to ensure design consistency.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gumtree & Motors

✨Showcase Your Vision

As a Head of Product Design and Research, it's crucial to articulate your vision for user experience. Prepare to discuss how you would align the design strategy with Gumtree's objectives and user needs, demonstrating your ability to think strategically.

✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience

Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led and managed design and research teams in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring and developing team members, as well as how you've fostered collaboration across multifunctional teams.

✨Demonstrate User-Centric Thinking

Prepare to discuss your understanding of user-centered design principles and how you've applied them in previous roles. Share examples of how you've implemented robust user research methodologies and how these insights have influenced product strategy.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex design concepts or presenting your portfolio. Be prepared to engage with stakeholders and cross-functional teams during the interview.

Head of Product Design and Research
Gumtree & Motors
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  • Head of Product Design and Research

    London
    Full-Time
    43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-03-27

  • G

    Gumtree & Motors

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